I like the EcoTools brushes I have a lot. I also have some super old Origins synthetic brushes that have held up amazingly well. Urban Decay and MAC also have some vegan brushes (you can see the UD ones on their vegan page and the MAC ones are listed on Melisser's site).

What everyone else has said for brands. I've got Ecotools, UD, and Elf. My most used ones are a regular shadow brush - I have a stiff and fluffy one and they're both good for different things, a blending brush, and a powder brush. I've also got a foundation one, but I use my fingers more. I know some people that have 30+ brushes but I really don't think that's necessary. I could get by with just 2, probs. I like my extra so I don't have to clean them as often, though.

all of my brushes (except one) are either aveda or origins--both make only synthetic brushes, as i understand it. the exception is my kabuki brush, because (at least when i was trying to buy one, not sure about currently) aveda/origins didn't make one. i can't remember where i got mine, but i could trace it backwards and figure it out if anyone is really dying to know. anyhow, i really like all of the ones i have.

i've tried a couple of other brands, but i always come back to the origins/aveda brushes.

_________________i'm not around much, but that doesn't mean i don't love you.

I'm expecting great things...they're supposed to be dupes of the more expensive Adesign synthetic brushes

_________________"If I were M. de la Viandeviande, I would now write a thirteen page post about how you have to have free will to be vegan, but modern science does not suggest any evidence for free will, therefore it is impossible to be vegan." -mumbles

I love my ELF brushes! Amazing quality for the price. I gave all my old non synthetic old brushes to a friend, so at least someones is still using them and I don't have to be weirded out by using animal hairs. What do you all use to clean yours? I just use some dish soap. Bad?

I love my ELF brushes! Amazing quality for the price. I gave all my old non synthetic old brushes to a friend, so at least someones is still using them and I don't have to be weirded out by using animal hairs. What do you all use to clean yours? I just use some dish soap. Bad?

I use Dr. Bronner's lavender...works really well

_________________"If I were M. de la Viandeviande, I would now write a thirteen page post about how you have to have free will to be vegan, but modern science does not suggest any evidence for free will, therefore it is impossible to be vegan." -mumbles

I love my ELF brushes! Amazing quality for the price. I gave all my old non synthetic old brushes to a friend, so at least someones is still using them and I don't have to be weirded out by using animal hairs. What do you all use to clean yours? I just use some dish soap. Bad?

I use Dr. Bronner's lavender...works really well

I never thought of using Bronner's!

I've only used Eco Tools, mostly because they're cheap, and also because they work well for me.

This is probably a dumb question but what are the different brushes used for?

I have different eyeshadow brushes that are for lid color, crease, highlight, eyeliner, etc. The main difference is just the shape and size. I use the kabuki for putting on powder but it's also good for mineral makeup. Powder brushes serve the same purpose but are less dense and give more of a dusting/lighter coverage. The bronzer brush is huge and fluffy and great for putting on stuff where you don't want hard edges.

They're for different parts of the eye and to do different things. Like if you want to line your eye, you don't want to use a big fluffy brush, and if you want allover color, you don't want to do it with a small liner brush. Also, I like having a lot of brushes because I rarely remember to clean them and if I have gray eyeshadow on one, I can't use it to quickly put light pink on.

I have a bunch of ecotools, I bought two separate sets, one was just eye brushes and one also had concealer brushes and stuff. I think the set of eyeshadow brushes was $7? I need a smudger/liner brush still, though.

I bought a foundation brush from ELF and it came unglued from the handle, but I still like using it more than a sponge.

_________________"The Tree is His Penis"

The tree is his penis // it's very exciting // when held up to his mouth // the lights are all lighting // his eyes start a-bulging // in unbridled glee // the tree is his penis // its beauty, effulgent -amandabear

I have mostly Aveda brushes. They are spendy (I got them with my staff discount when I worked there), but I've had them forever and they are really well made. No shedding hairs or anything. For eyes, I get by with two eyeshadow brushes - one sort of fluffy one for blending, one flat, square one for applying.

For face, I use my fingers to apply my foundation (over cleansed, primed skin) then follow up with powder on a kabuki brush, and a fluffy, angled brush for blush.

I also use a small angled brush for applying brow colour. A lot of makeup artists will tell you what brushes you MUST HAVE to properly do a look, but I think it's really about what tools you are most comfortable using.

_________________Did you notice the slight feeling of panic at the words "Chicken Basin Street"? Like someone was walking over your grave? Try not to remember. We must never remember. - mumblesIs this about devilberries and nazifruit again? - footface

Last edited by paprikapapaya on Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:31 am, edited 1 time in total.